If you remember back when we shared our friend Janel’s Paris elopement, or this Parisian brunch wedding, you know how we love weddings in Paris around here. The dream, right?! So when Maria of Palermo Photo sent model Marion + Fah’s elopement our way, we knew it would inspire all you with a chic destination wedding on the mind. Big thanks to Maria for sharing the photos and 10 tips for getting married in Paris!
Tip #1. Consider booking off season, and book early. This is particularly important if you are on a tight budget and want your close friends + family to celebrate with you. A good rule of thumb for destination weddings is to send the save the dates one year before the wedding date and share flight searches, accommodations and resources early and often with your guests.
2. Let your location be your guide. Pull inspiration from your destination when thinking about your color palette and decor to make your celebration one of a kind. Papel & Co. designed an invitation suite with a stone color, inspired by the soft tones of greys that pepper the Parisian landscape. Guests were gifted an Eiffel Tower bookmark in vellum to welcome them to the city of love.
3. Don’t skimp on the details. Eloping doesn’t mean you have to keep everything simple! If on a tight budget, pick a few key parts of the wedding that are most important to focus your funds on. Our bride splurged on her Galia Lahav gown and stunning florals by Floraison, but kept the budget in line by styling her own hair + makeup and keeping her jewelry minimal yet timelessly chic.
4. Get the best photographer you can afford. After you’ve eaten your cake and put away the dress, all you have are your memories so definitely spend wisely on a photographer that you trust to capture those memories in a way that is true to your vision and love story.
After exploring the city, Marion + Fah enjoyed the views over dinner in their stylish pied-à-terre with a few of their closest friends and fam. Roberta of The Romanticist Studios played up their soft, feminine, and quintessentially Parisian color palette in the design.
5. Choose vendors carefully. If you’re eloping to a destination that you don’t call home, you will rely on your vendors essentially as your family abroad so choose vendors with great reviews and loads of experience. They don’t always have to be locals, but a good wedding planner or travel specialist can help with logistical hurdles you may have never considered, such as languages, customs, currency, and cultural nuances.
6. Craft a timeline that will maximize your big day. Check local timing cues such as sunset or sunrise time, rush hour, or national events or holidays. Big cities can get pretty crowded as early as 8am so schedule time to get out into the city early in the morning for portraits if you’re getting married at a popular destination. Paris can be overwhelmingly crowded during summer and other times like Fashion Week, Tour de France, NYE, so you want to take your photos as early as you can.
7. Take lots of portraits for loved ones back home. It may only be the two of you on your wedding day and that’s what matters, but don’t forget to document the celebration to share with loved ones and supporters back home. Make lots of time for photos on your wedding day and if you can, book a shoot with your photographer after your day to check out different locations and take couples’ photos without the time constraints of your big day.
8. Just have fun! Weddings never go as planned, whether you’re getting hitched in your hometown or across the globe. Try to step back and remember it’s about your love story and everything will be perfect, whether it’s perfect or not!
9. Discover the city like a local. If possible, head out to your destination city a few days ahead of your guests to soak up the city at your own pace, or stay a few days after and enjoy the city as newlyweds! Wander the streets to find unique or meaningful places that may be off the beaten path to make the day uniquely yours. We took Marion + Fah to the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower for some timelessly Parisian portraits, but also took time to enjoy an intimate balcony overlooking the city to give them a collection of images that are uniquely their own.
Last but not least… Celebrate with everyone back home. Whatever your reasons for eloping, don’t forget that you have a whole crew of loved ones who are excited about your union and would love to celebrate with you! Whether it’s a small cocktail party or a bash befitting Marie Antoinette, set aside time to celebrate back home with the ones you love. Besides, wouldn’t you take any excuse to put that wedding gown back on?!
Thanks to Palermo Photo + the team below for sharing their tips for getting married in Paris. Let us know if they inspire your destination wedding or elopement!
Photography: Palermo Photo / Design: The Romanticist Studios / Floral: Floraison / Paper Goods: Papel & Co. / Tabletop: Heath Ceramics / Candles: Creative Candles / Ribbon/Napkin: Frou Frou Chic / Travel: Travellur / Ring Box: The Mrs Box / Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab / Dress: Galia Lahav / Reception Dress: Rime Arodaky
